“Led by the Holy Spirit”: Reba McEntire Reveals the Divine Secret Behind Her Powerful Performances on The Voice

Behind every soul-shaking note, every heart-wrenching harmony, and every standing ovation on The Voice, there lies a sacred ritual that Reba McEntire has quietly followed for decades: a whispered prayer, a bowed head, and a simple request for divine guidance.

Now, for the first time, the country music legend has opened up about the spiritual practice she leans on before stepping into the spotlight—a deep, unwavering faith in the Holy Spirit that she says is the true source of her power on stage.

“It’s Not Just Singing — It’s Ministry”

Reba McEntire isn’t just a country queen with a voice that can still bring down the house at age 70—she’s a woman of profound faith.

In a recent behind-the-scenes interview on The Voice, where she serves as a coach and mentor to rising stars, Reba stunned fans by revealing that every single performance she gives—whether on a national stage or a quiet rehearsal room—starts with a prayer.

“Before I go out, I take a moment. I close my eyes and I say, ‘Lord, let me be Your vessel. Let the Holy Spirit lead me—help me sing where I’m needed most, with the right heart, for the right person.’”

According to Reba, her performances are more than just entertainment—they’re a form of healing.

“Let Me Sing to the One Who Needs It Most Tonight”

She doesn’t pray to hit the high notes. She doesn’t pray for applause. She prays for impact.

“I always ask: ‘Who in the audience needs this song the most?’ I may not know who they are, but He does. And if I let go of control and let the Holy Spirit guide me, I trust the song will reach them.”

That level of intentionality has made Reba more than just a coach on The Voice—she’s become a source of emotional and even spiritual mentorship for her team. Contestants have reported tearful coaching sessions where Reba would stop mid-rehearsal, hold their hands, and simply pray with them.

The Voice of a Nation—and Something Greater

While fans admire her powerhouse vocals and stage charisma, Reba says it’s never been about glory or ego.

“I’ve always believed my voice was a gift—not just a talent. And gifts are meant to be used in service. Whether I’m singing ‘Fancy’ or a hymn, I try to make sure I’m singing from the Spirit.”

And that mission doesn’t stop at The Voice. From her sold-out stadium tours to quiet church performances in her hometown of Chockie, Oklahoma, Reba carries this same spiritual compass with her. She’s even been known to change a setlist at the last second if she feels a nudge from the Spirit.

“Sometimes I just feel it—someone in the crowd needs a different song. And I don’t question it. I trust it.”

Contestants Speak Out: “Reba Changed My Life”

Contestants on The Voice have begun sharing their personal stories of working with Reba, and the theme is unanimous: she’s more than a coach—she’s a light.

One finalist recounted:

“I was so nervous before the battle round, and Reba just pulled me aside, prayed with me, and told me to trust God. I went out there not just singing to win, but singing to heal. And I did.”

Another said:

“She told me, ‘Sing like someone’s life depends on it.’ That hit me. I’d never sung that way before. And now I always will.”

Faith on National TV? “I Don’t Apologize for It.”

In an era where many public figures shy away from religious expression for fear of controversy, Reba remains boldly unapologetic about her beliefs.

“Faith isn’t something I check at the door. It’s who I am. I won’t force it on anybody, but I won’t hide it either.”

Indeed, her moments of faith on The Voice have become some of the show’s most viral and discussed highlights—not because they’re flashy, but because they’re real.

One particularly powerful episode featured Reba singing a stripped-down version of “Back to God,” a gospel ballad she released in 2017. The live audience fell silent. Several contestants cried. And social media erupted with messages like:

“I didn’t believe in God until I heard Reba sing that song.”

“I needed that tonight more than she’ll ever know.”

A Faith Rooted in Humility and Heartache

Reba’s faith wasn’t born in the spotlight—it was forged through fire.

She’s endured unimaginable loss: the tragic 1991 plane crash that claimed seven of her band members, the death of her beloved mother Jacqueline in 2020, and most recently, the quiet heartbreak of her longtime partner Rex Linn’s cancer battle (which he thankfully overcame in 2024).

Through it all, she says, only one thing held her together: God’s presence.

“When the music stopped, when the lights went out, and I felt like I had nothing left—He was there.”

Looking Ahead: A “Spirit-Led” Future

With her 2025 tour dubbed “The Heart & The Hallelujah Tour” kicking off this fall, Reba promises a show unlike anything fans have seen.

“It’s going to be part concert, part revival,” she says. “We’ll laugh, cry, sing, and maybe even pray together. I want people to leave feeling lighter, freer, more alive.”

She’s also working on a book of devotions and reflections, tentatively titled Sing It With Faith, featuring stories from her life and the prayers that helped her through.

Final Words: “Sing Like Heaven’s Listening”

As the interview wrapped, Reba offered this message for aspiring artists, dreamers, and anyone feeling lost:

“Whatever you do—sing, dance, paint, love—do it like heaven’s listening. Do it with intention. Do it with heart. And if you don’t know where to start, start with prayer. That’s where I always do.”

In a world that often trades substance for spectacle, Reba McEntire stands as a rare beacon of authenticity—reminding us all that sometimes, the most powerful performance doesn’t come from the lungs, but from the soul.

And that when the Holy Spirit leads… the whole world listens.